Defence seeks RFI to speed sovereign guided weapons development

The defence department has moved to the next stage of its development of a $1 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, issuing a Request for Information seeking input from industry and academia interested in participating in the enterprise.

Feedback is also being sought on the potential roles that organisations could play to assist the Commonwealth and Department of Defence in the delivery of all or parts of the enterprise.

According to defence, the Enterprise provides significant opportunities in advanced manufacturing for Australian small to medium businesses.

“To achieve this, the Government will partner with Australian industry and deliver on the Government‘s commitment to growing Australian industry and securing jobs.

“Building the Enterprise is a complex undertaking and Defence will work closely with Australian industry, including small and medium business, and academia in its design and development to deliver the required sovereign guided weapons capability.”

The enterprise comprises multiple capability elements including manufacturing, research and development, education and training, test and evaluation, maintenance and repair, storage and distribution, and disposal.

“Balanced investment in each of the enterprise capability elements is essential to create a sustainable and enduring enterprise.”

Defence is in the planning phase of establishing the enterprise, and has published the RFI on AusTender.

Defence will soon provide details of a forthcoming information session to interested parties.

Register interest for the information session here.

Picture: A Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missile – Surface Launch (LRASM SL)

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